Immigrants Building Companies

What do you do when the aisle you’re shopping from doesn’t see you? Farah K. didn’t just ask that question, she built a business around the answer. In the latest episode of Immigrants Building Companies, I sat down with Farah, co-founder of HANX, a brand that’s flipping the sexual wellness industry on its head. We talked about: 🔹 Growing up Bangladeshi-Muslim in a mostly white town 🔹 Challenging cultural expectations (and some Christmas dinner drama) 🔹 Why sex ed in the UK is still failing women 🔹 Leaving a stable career at Goldman Sachs to launch condoms (yes, really) 🔹 What it takes to build trust in a taboo market This one’s not just about entrepreneurship. It’s about guts. Grit. And doing the uncomfortable work that changes lives.

Is it tougher to build a startup from scratch or walk away from the one you poured your heart into? Our latest podcast episode unpacks: • What it’s really like to pivot and grow a food-delivery platform during COVID • The highs and lows of fundraising, including a trip to Dragon’s Den • Why selling a business can be more emotionally draining than starting one • Navigating the “hangover” of letting go and moving on to new ventures Tune in for a candid conversation on the raw realities of entrepreneurship with Shabbir Mookhtiar!

Building a tech company is hard. Building one with hardware? Even harder. Loved this conversation with Varun Bhanot, founder of Magic AI, we talked about: → Why hardware startups are a different beast → The immigrant grit behind entrepreneurial resilience → Leaving prestige behind to follow purpose → And how real innovation often starts in your parents’ living room, not a pitch deck The journey wasn’t smooth but that’s what makes it real. Hardware is hard. But solving a meaningful problem? Worth it every time.

In this episode, we sit down with Rudy Parengal, an immigrant entrepreneur who took a huge risk moving to the UK to build something from scratch and turned it into a thriving business. This story isn’t just about entrepreneurship. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and betting on yourself when the odds aren’t in your favour. He arrived in the UK in 2019 with no network, no traditional university experience, and no guarantees. But what he did have? A vision, a relentless work ethic, and the courage to take risks including taking out a loan against his family home to fund his dream. Fast forward to today, and Rudy Parengal has built Abjak, a micro food hall network helping food entrepreneurs scale their brands without the usual costs and barriers. In this episode, we talk about: 🔥 The challenges of being a first-gen immigrant entrepreneur 🔥 Navigating the UK visa system while building a business 🔥 The real struggles (and wins) behind launching a startup 🔥 Why taking calculated risks is the key to growth This is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever thought about stepping out of their comfort zone to build something bigger.

Where does all that e-waste really go? Most businesses upgrade their tech without a second thought. But what happens to the old devices collecting dust in office cupboards? And how can businesses turn a sustainability problem into an opportunity? In this episode, we sit down with Asad Hamir to unpack his journey from an immigrant upbringing to building a game-changing business in tech and sustainability. We explore: 🔹 The shocking truth behind electronic waste and its global impact 🔹 Why businesses need to rethink how they consume tech, not just how they recycle it 🔹 The power of community in driving business success 🔹 Lessons in scaling fast while staying lean 🔹 The fine balance between ambition, failure, and long-term vision This one’s a must-listen for anyone thinking about the future of business, sustainability, and what it really takes to scale. Hit play and let’s dive in. 🎧👇

Success hits different when the odds are stacked against you. From immigrant roots to building a thriving community, Amardeep Parmar proves that breaking barriers isn’t about luck, it’s about grit, hustle, and refusing to play small. In this episode of The Immigrant Founders Pod, we get real about: 1. Turning cultural clashes into competitive edges 2. Escaping the ‘safe’ path to chase purpose 3. The chaos of content creation and why it’s worth it 4. Building a legacy that outlives your name This isn’t your feel-good story, it’s the truth behind what it takes

When Sanjay Lobo MBE👫🌍 started his career, he was told to change his name to Christopher Hall just to be more "marketable."   Today, he’s an MBE, a founder, and leading a company that’s redefining corporate social impact.   On the this episode, we talked about identity, belonging, and how the UK has changed for immigrants over the years.   His startup, OnHand • the impact platform, makes volunteering effortless, helping businesses engage employees in real-world impact, from mentoring and climate action to tackling loneliness.   Sanjay’s story isn’t just about breaking barriers, it’s about rewriting them. Hard work, persistence, and a clear purpose turned uncertainty into opportunity.   This is one you don’t want to miss.

What does it take to pioneer change in an industry that’s overlooked for centuries? For Emilė R., it took leaving her home in Lithuania, pursuing neuroscience at Harvard, and saying "yes" to the uncomfortable questions no one else dared to ask. In this episode of Immigrants Building Companies, Emile shares her extraordinary journey of building Samphire Neuroscience, a venture born from a fierce commitment to solving the silent battles women face with PMS and PMDD. Her story is more than entrepreneurship, it’s about resilience, purpose, and having the courage to create when the odds feel insurmountable. Emile reminds us that real innovation isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about listening, understanding, and daring to make things better. If you’re in need of a story that challenges the limits of possibility, this conversation is for you.

What does it take to build seven businesses in 11 years and disrupt one of the most traditional industries along the way? In the latest episode, we sat down with Scott McKenna, co-founder of careless™ insurance, to unpack his entrepreneurial journey from South Africa to the UK and beyond. Here’s what stood out: 1. Starting Young: Scott’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident at 17 when he pitched a business idea to the South African government. The pitch wasn’t accepted, but the experience planted the seeds for his future ventures. 2. The Power of Risk: Scott’s journey to the UK was driven by a desire for a different perspective, a place where risk-taking and innovation are embraced. This mindset has shaped every step of his career. 3. Reimagining Insurance: Careless is challenging the norms of the insurance industry with bold branding and a customer-first approach. It’s proof that even the most dated industries are ripe for innovation when you’re willing to rethink the rules. 4. Lessons from Failure: Scott shared how his “failures” were his greatest teachers. They taught him the value of persistence, adaptability, and surrounding himself with the right people. 5. Building for the Future: His philosophy is simple but profound: trust your gut, take risks, and start early. The earlier you begin, the more time you have to learn, pivot, and succeed. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone building something new, especially in challenging industries. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from taking a risk?

From 15 & fearless to 200K followers What kind of mindset does it take to leave your family, your country, and everything familiar at just 15? For Lara Acosta, founder of LA Digital and Literally Academy, it was the start of a journey that turned her into a LinkedIn powerhouse with over 200,000 followers. On this episode, Lara gets raw and real about: 🔥 Growing up as the “black sheep” and turning her differences into her competitive advantage 🔥 Using discipline (and deadlifts!) to build a personal brand that’s unstoppable. 🔥 Manifesting a life her dad once dreamed of and making it her own. From cringe-posts to viral success, Lara shares how LinkedIn became more than a platform... It became a life-changing force. Her story proves that when you embrace who you are, you’re unstoppable. Curious? Tune in to hear Lara’s epic transformation and learn why she says, “If you’re not delusional in this game, what are you doing?” Links to full episode below